Donald Trump ended an NBC interview early after being challenged on his proposed “weaponization” fund.
Last month, the Trump administration floated the idea of an Anti-Weaponization Fund, presented as a way to offer financial relief to people who believe they were unfairly targeted by the government for political, ideological, or personal reasons — including individuals arrested in connection with the 2021 Capitol riot.
According to POLITICO, the proposal was raised by Trump alongside a $10 billion lawsuit he filed against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. As part of the settlement, the Department of Justice said it would establish a $1.776 billion fund to pay claims from people who say they were “weaponized” against — or, as Attorney General Todd Blanche described them, “victims of lawfare and weaponization.”
Critics have pointed out that potential recipients could include convicted rioters, including some found guilty of violence against police officers during the January 6, 2021 attack.
The proposal has also drawn pushback from within the Republican Party. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis criticized it as “a pay out for punks,” per CBS News.
In an interview that aired today (June 7), Trump spoke about the concept while being questioned by Meet the Press reporter Kristen Welker. During the exchange, he defended the idea and suggested those he believes were mistreated deserve compensation.
He said: “If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve.
“People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed. Many suicides, think of it.”
Trump continued to tell Welker: “I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans.
“You have to get it approved. If they get it approved, that’s great. If they don’t get it approved, I’d be disappointed.”
The interview also turned to claims of voter fraud and the events that unfolded at the Capitol in 2021. Despite there being no evidence that the 2020 election was rigged, Trump reiterated his position that the outcome was illegitimate.
“The election was rigged, it was a dirty election and it’s happening again right now in California,” Trump said.
As Welker repeatedly pressed him to provide evidence for his assertions, the conversation became increasingly tense — before Trump abruptly chose to end the interview.
Trump said before exiting: “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough, thank you, darling, have a good time.”
Welker attempted to keep the discussion going, but he declined.
“I’ve given you enough time,” Trump replied.
See the dramatic moment here:
After the broadcast, viewers weighed in online, with some accusing the president of “gaslighting” during the exchange.
Somebody commented on YouTube: “If anyone you know is unsure of what gaslighting is, just show them this interview.”
A different person said: “He truly believes that people believe him! Like we are all morons. It’s incredible to watch.”
While Trump defended the Anti-Weaponization Fund in the interview, Todd Blanche later said the effort would not proceed. Speaking at a committee hearing, he confirmed it had been dropped, The Guardian reported on June 2.
“We are not moving forward with the fund, period,” he said at a committee hearing, The Guardian reported on June 2.
Blanche continued: “The reasons for the fund is something that President Trump talked about for a long time, which is the fact that there were a lot of people in this country who had their government weaponized against them.
“The reasons for the fund, I think, remain as important as they were before, but we are not moving forward with the fund.”